Sherry: Time to improve Qld ports

[Sandielle]

We all know this - what about the government? From Cruise Weekly 12/6/2012

 

Carnival chief Ann Sherry has called for action on the “significant challenges” facing ports in Brisbane and Cairns. The full potential of Australia’s cruise industry will not be realised until problems at Queensland’s two main cruise ports are addressed, according to Ann Sherry, CEO, Carnival Australia. “Infrastructure gaps at Brisbane and Cairns have become more obvious as a result of cruise industry growth, combined with the trend to larger cruise ships,” Sherry told Cruise Weekly. “If unaddressed, these gaps will constrain further growth and limit cruising’s economic contribution.”

 

The Brisbane facility is “too far up the river”, thus limiting access by superliners, she said. “Brisbane needs a dedicated deepwater cruise terminal to accommodate an increasing number of larger ships. “The cruise port is also the most expensive in Australia, despite its size restrictions.” Cairns, on the other hand, “works effectively, unlike many ports in Australia”, Sherry said. “Unfortunately, most ships can’t get into the port until it is dredged.”

 

Carnival Australia supports current plans to dredge Trinity Inlet to enable larger cruise ships to dock in the heart of Cairns. “Current arrangements at the Yorkey’s Knob anchorage are suboptimal to Cairns realising its full potential as a cruise destination and for the real value of cruising to be captured,” Sherry said. “Cairns has great potential as a key destination in northern Australia linking through to destinations to our north, including Papua New Guinea.”

 

Sherry acknowledged that some progress had been made by state and local government authorities, which “recognise and value cruising’s contribution to the economy, jobs and to businesses through the ‘multiplier effect’ of cruising.”

Sherry also emphasised that improving facilities in Queensland was important from a national perspective because the state was “part of an itinerary package” for visiting international ships. “Australia’s cruise destinations depend on each other to get it right on infrastructure,” she said. “Upgrading port facilities would help ensure Australia remains attractive and competitive as a cruise destination. This is increasingly important as we see cities in Asia, such as Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore, investing strongly in cruise infrastructure,” she added.

[fanoforion]

Hi , we have been trying for a long time to have the dredging done here in Cairns. The sooner the powers that be, do something about it the better.

The city heart is missing out on so many tourist dollars from cruise passengers.

Cairns is a great place. I love it.

It is hard on passengers when Ships have to anchor off Yorkeys knob, then are charged to go by shuttle into the city.

 

 

kind regards, Lorraine:):)

[Kiwi Kruzer]

I fully agree Lorraine.

I have been saying for years that Cairns IS a great turnaround point.

If only the City fathers could see that.

It has an International Airport, so folk can fly in from all over the world to join a cruise.....

of course they would all want to stay Pre/post cruise as well.

Imagine the cruises that could done from there.

Fly cruise deals from all over...

eg;

Cairns to Singapore

Cairns to Fremantle

Cairns to Bali

Cairns to Noumea

Cairns to PNG

Cairns to Honolulu

all these with the choice of one way or return to Cairns, visiting different ports on the way back.:):)

 

When Norwegian Star was down here we flew from Auckland to Cairns, had a pre cruise stay and then cruised to Willis Island ,down the GBR ,Brisbane and finished in Sydney.

The scenic cruising in the GBR was fantastic.

[thied]

why cant the cruise lines put up some money for the up grades to Australian ports?